the president sitting down with paul ryan at the white house for the first time ever is progress. and there are some signs some republicans think it's really genuine. i guess there have been follow up made by the white house chief of staff following up on the president's calls and initial conversation. all of this is good. you have to keep in mind how poisoned the well has been. the president's strategy has been demonizing house republicans. that's a strategy. you can see why republicans are cautious about this. i would say cautiously optimistic but that may be a stretch too far. the other thing that is important to remember, tone comes from the top. what republicans need to see, too, is the president's deputies and senior staff reiterating this goodwill. when you have dan pfeiffer go on television, the white house communique, it doesn't reverberate this goodwill. it undermines the president's tone. you have to take it on balance. the president deserves credit for reaching out to the hill. >> it is an incredible sign of the times that any kind of outreach, having a meal with a rep